Because you can only go out and see The Meg so many times, it’s time you buckle down and firm up some weekend party plans -- and by “buckle down” we mean scan over this silver platter of awesome LA events we’ve curated for you, then coast through life like you’re Ferris Bueller. This weekend, some of the best things in Los Angeles include a tortilla takeover, Halloween horror, and incredible eats from chef Roy Choi.

Friday-Sunday, September 14-16Various locations Problem: You want to charter through Malibu, the Channel Islands, or even Catalina, but are not rich and therefore, don’t have a boat. Solution: Boatsetter, like Airbnb for boats, allows you to rent everything from a mega-yacht to an eight-seater powerboat (like the one from local Yippee Ki Yay Charters), each with a Coast Guard-licensed captain onboard, so you can booze and cruise and live your very best #BoatLife.Cost: Varies

Friday-Sunday, September 14-16Universal Studios (Universal City) There will be plenty of familiar frighteners at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights for you to flee in terror from (and then take selfies with right afterward). This year’s setup has eight mazes, scare zones, and the “Terror Tram” with characters from Stranger Things, Poltergeist, and The Purge.Cost: $60-100

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Friday-Sunday, September 14-16Chego! (Chinatown) Kogi food truck pioneer Roy Choi is bringing some probiotic fire to his kitchen at Chego! through October. Choi has partnered with kombucha brand KeVita to showcase a variety of tasty, gut-friendly new dishes such as kimchi with pineapple peach kombucha, a Cali cauliflower adobo bowl with tart cherry kombucha, and a lime mint coconut mojito.Cost: $5-10

Friday-Sunday, September 14-16The Raymond 1886 (Pasadena) “Wealth & Hellness: Cocktails for a Very Healthy Lifestyle” is an apt parody of SoCal’s yoga and vice mindset. The latest collaborative cocktail menu from the staff at The Raymond 1886 features healthy-ish drinks such as Carol Does a Juice Cleanse with Vida mezcal, house-made strawberry-kiwi syrup, lime juice, and an egg white with Xocolatl mole bitters.Cost: Varies

Granny Saloon Boots 05 Pink Shoes Lace Accent Shoes Victorian Girl Saturday, September 15Margo’s (Santa Monica) Pick up a shaker for once and make your own booze with this interactive crash course teaching you how to make classic vodka and gin cocktails including a dirty martini, grapefruit vesper, and a pomegranate Cosmo. Lunch is also provided in the form of grilled prawns and Mediterranean nachos.Cost: $90

Saturday, September 15Lot 613 (Downtown) Easily the most competitive multiplayer retro-style arcade game today, Killer Queen rolls into Los Angeles for the first time ever, with a five-on-five bee-killing tournament for the ages. Red Bull Hive Hustle will bring the rabid KQ fan base to Lot 613 for an arcade tournament with national competitors, special guests, food, and other surprises.Cost: $10-50

Saturday, September 15La Plaza de Cultura y Artes Few things in this world are better than eating tacos -- except, of course, eating a ton of tacos paired with delicious cocktails, which is exactly what you'll get at Thrillist's Taco Takeover on Saturday. Some of the best taco shops in town (like Tetee House, Pez Cantina, and Balam) will be slinging tasty tortilla-based treats, alongside Cuervo Tradicional cocktails and Mexican-style beers. There'll also be live music, games, and (for the VIPs) a literal fountain of queso. Grab a ticket and dig in while you still can!Cost: $39 for GA, $59 for early access, $69 for VIP

Sunday, September 16LA River Center & Gardens (Cypress Park) The eaters at KCRW have been narrowing down the best tortillas in greater Los Angeles since August, and now it’s time for the top tortillas in town to go head-to-head. The event boasts multiple food vendors, margarita and michelada bars, tortilla art making with artist Joe Bravo, a live broadcast with Raul Campos, and live cooking demos.Cost: Free

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Sean Cooley is still amazed that RBI Baseball 3 gave Dennis Eckersley his own special throwing animation. Tell him about cool events people should go to @SeanCoolish.

It's unclear exactly when Pride Parades evolved from solemn marches to exuberant celebrations, but here we are in 2018, where love is love and gay marriage is finally legal. Pride Weekend is upon us, and it’s time for rainbows to fly over the streets of Hillcrest as we honor those hard fought victories with one of the best Pride Parades in the nation. The weekend’s activities are organized by San Diego Pride, a non-profit whose stated mission is “fostering pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.”

San Diego’s Pride Parade attracts more than 200,000 attendees and participants, and navigating your way through it all can be challenging. Use our handy guide for all the relevant details, and have a safe, fabulous, Pride-filled weekend!

When and where is the parade?

The Pride Parade is on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11am, beginning under the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street. This year’s theme is “Persist With Pride.”

What’s the parade route?

The parade will proceed west along University Avenue, turning left on Sixth Street, then left again on Balboa Drive before ending at Quince Drive. The route is approximately 1.4 miles long, as you can see from the map below:

How do I get there?

Driving and parking in Hillcrest is notoriously difficult, and the expected hordes of revelers aren’t going to make it any easier; walk, bike, or use public transportation if possible. Check the MTS schedule for the best route to the parade, using University Avenue and Normal Street as your destination. Above all, allow yourself plenty of time so you don’t miss a minute of the festivities!

Where should I park?

If you absolutely have to drive, San Diego Pride has set up a free parking and shuttle service to and from the Pride Parade and the Pride Festival at the Old Naval Hospital at Park Boulevard and President’s Way.

To the Pride Parade: Free shuttles run round trip to the Pride Parade from 8am till 3pm on Saturday, July 14th, dropping parade attendees off at Essex and Richmond Street, one block south of University Avenue.

To the Pride Festival: Free shuttles run round trip to the Pride Festival from 8am till 10pm on both Saturday, July 14th and Sunday, July 15th, dropping festival attendees off at Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street.

A free express shuttle will take you from the Pride Parade to the Pride Festival from 12pm till 4pm on Saturday; catch it at Essex and Richmond Streets. Cyclists can store their bicycles safely at the bike corral located just outside the Pride Festival at Sixth Avenue.

What streets will be closed?

Saturday's street closures will begin at 6am, and remain in place until 4pm. A complete listing of road closures on Friday, July 13th and Saturday, July 14th can be found here; scroll down to the purple section. Also, note the No Parking Zones in the orange section. Nothing ruins a good party like walking back to your car and seeing a parking ticket!

What will the weather be like?

Expect partly sunny weather on Saturday and Sunday, with highs in the upper 70s and lows in the high 60s -- solid parade weather, in other words. This is San Diego, after all.

Are the events ADA accessible?

San Diego Pride has an array of resources to ensure that everyone has a amazing experience, including: accessible seating, American Sign Language interpreters, and, at the Pride Festival, cool zones for seniors and service animals.

ADA Accessible Vans will be available at any Pride (Festival, Parade, Parking) Shuttle stop on Saturday, July 14 from 8am to 12 midnight and Sunday, July 15 from 8am to 10pm. Contact the Pride Volunteer at the Shuttle stop to hail an ADA Accessible van.

Where are the best viewing spots?

There’s decent viewing from the sidewalks along most of the parade route, but if you’re early enough, try to snag a seat in one of the six reviewing stands at University Avenue and Normal Street, University and Vermont, University between 6th and 7th, 6th Avenue (near Robinson), 6th and Pennsylvania, and 6th and Ivy Lane.

When and where is the Stonewall Rally?

The Spirit of Stonewall Rally takes place on Friday, July 13 at 6pm under the Hillcrest Pride Flag. Speakers include Christine Kehoe, San Diego County’s first openly LGBTQ elected official; Sakeenah Gallard, founder of SPEAAQ Inc., which focuses on helping victims of sexual violence speak out; Liat Wexler, who co-founded GenderQueer San Diego, the first non-binary group in the region; and keynote speaker Danica Roem, the first openly transgender woman elected to a state legislature.

What’s the Pride Festival and how do I get in on it?

San Diego’s Pride Festival takes place on Saturday, July 14th from 12pm till 10pm, and Sunday, July 15th from 11am till 9pm at Marston Point in Balboa Park at 6th Avenue and Laurel Street. Imagine a dance party with four amazing stages, over one hundred entertainers, fabulous food, inspiring art, exhibits, cultural presentations, and vendor booths. Headliners this year include TLC and JoJo. Add 40,000 of your new best friends and mix thoroughly for the Pride event of the summer! Tickets range from $20 for a one-day pass to $400, depending on your level of VIPness.

How else can I show support?

San Diego Pride depends on over 1000 volunteers to plan and implement the Pride festivals, parades, and events, and with more than thirty different volunteer departments, you’re sure to find one that’s a good fit. You can donate at any time, knowing that 84 cents of every dollar goes to education, advocacy, and civic organization. Most importantly, register and vote! Your voice is needed now more than ever.

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Mary Beth Abate is a San Diego-based freelance writer by way of Chicago and Los Angeles. Her hobbies include yoga, pickling and fermenting various vegetables and beverages, reading cookbooks and traveling around Mexico. Keep up with her experiments @MaryBeth_Abate.

Spring is here, and that means it’s time to get out of the house and take in all the life bursting forth from the ground. These outdoor explorations not only allow you to see your city in a whole new light right alongside your dog, they’ll also let your furry best friend burn off all that spring energy he's enjoying, thanks to nutrient-dense Nature’s Recipe® dog food. Maybe you two will even begin training in a new activity together -- whether it’s jumping, retrieving, or... dancing? Read on to see the ways you and your dog are going to make this season into the adventure it’s meant to be.

HIT THE BIG TIME OUTSIDE THE BIG CITY

New York/New Jersey Think your dog is the best pup in the world? Well don’t settle for being big dog in a small pond -- take your friend to the World Dog Expo on June 9 and 10. This event is open to everyone and every dog -- take a look around, get inspired by some of the skill competitions, and even pick up some tips from professional trainers and classes. Who knows -- maybe with a little inspiration and practice, your dog could be eliciting the crowd’s “ooohs” and “awwws” on stage next year.

And for those worried about bathroom breaks limiting your time inside, don’t fret -- there are potty areas throughout the expo for humans and dogs alike.

WATCH A TREE GROW

Brooklyn Going to the park is a surefire way to enjoy your time outside with your dog. But if you end up with the dog park to yourselves, you might be missing out on some quality socializing for your dog (and for you). Every first Saturday of the month in Prospect Park, Coffee Bark is a free get-together for owners and pets alike, with pastries, dog biscuits, and plenty of info on off-leash activities available from other like-minded owners. Maybe your best buddy will meet his new best four-footed friend, and they can happily share a bowl of high-quality Nature’s Recipe® dog food to fuel their fun day together. Go in April to take advantage of another bonus -- you and your dog can take in the beauty of Prospect Park’s cherry blossom trees as they start to bloom.

TEACH YOUR DOG TO LOVE THE CITY

Brooklyn Being a parent -- whether it’s for babies or puppies -- has some tough moments. For city dog owners, getting a pupper used to the many sounds and distractions of the city can be an ordeal -- one that might involve lots of barking and stress for your little friend. The Wag Club hosts a special Wine ‘N Puppies class every Monday evening to get you both through this tough time.

For the pups? The instructors will help train them in social interactions and playing nice with the world at large. For the pet parents who might feel stressed watching their babies on a virtual puppy playground? A nice glass of wine to ease the nerves. Attendees have given the event rave reviews -- and reported great improvement in their puppy’s development into a well-acclimated city dog. Puppies from 3-16 months are welcome to attend.

WALK FOR A GREAT CAUSE

Boston It’s not every day that you get a chance to do some good with your dog, but on April 4, you and your best friend can head to Lancaster Fairgrounds and make a difference. The Whisker Walk benefits a number of New England animal shelters and rescue groups, so you’re doing good simply by taking much-needed walkies! In addition to helping dogs in need, you and your four-legged friend can partake in any number of fun and helpful activities -- visiting the petting zoo with your kids, getting free rabies shots, entering raffles, or even on-site microchipping.

START LIVING IN THE PINK

Nashville Every spring, the Cherry Blossom Festival aims to plant 100 Cherry Blossom trees as a means of both beautification and international exchange. The festival offers attendees the chance to learn about Japanese culture as well as celebrate the coming of spring -- and dogs are very welcome to do the same. The Pups in Pink Parade is specifically designed to let your dog strut his stuff in whatever attire you like. Judges will be taking in the costumes, and if you’ve got your doggie couture game on point, you and your best friend might just trot onto the winner’s podium. Win or lose, all participants will walk away with a swag bag as thanks for coming out, and proceeds will go towards the Nashville Humane Society.

MUDDY THE WATERS TOGETHER

Nashville Sometimes, taking your dog out to an event is good clean fun. But what if you guys want to get a little down and dirty? For those owners who don’t mind a little dirt under the fingernails, the Nashville Mud Run on May 5 is a great opportunity to go out and get some great exercise -- and now the “Dirty Dog” division lets you and your pet tackle the course together. This is a leashed event, and some restrictions apply -- but if your dog can meet muster, it’s a great way to get some rough-and-tumble fun. Sanctioned muddiness is reward enough, but before you head out, make him happy with a bowl of Nature’s Recipe® dog food. Its natural ingredients with added vitamins, minerals, and nutrients will help him power through the day's adventure. Dogs love the taste, while you'll love the healthy ingredients that provide energy for an adventurous pup's life.

MAKE FRIENDS TOGETHER

San Francisco It’s not every day that you get to be a philanthropist by putting a drink in your hand -- especially if you’re holding a leash in the other. But that’s exactly what the Pints for Paws fundraiser offers: 20 breweries coming together to run an event where 100% of the proceeds go towards Berkeley Humane. But while the June 3 event is helping to support pups in need of a home, it is definitely open to all human and dog members of your household.

MAKE THE MOST OF OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

Seattle There’s any number of outdoor adventures for doggie adventures in the Seattle area, but the best bets often fill up quick in summer. Why not explore one of Seattle’s closest and most beautiful parks before the rush? Or head to Silver Springs in Snoqualmie National Forest -- their glacial peaks and old growth forests are yours to explore via a number of dog-friendly trails. Even better: undeveloped areas of the forest don't have leash requirements, so your dog can enjoy life to the fullest, which is almost certainly the same thing as chasing squirrels.

LEARN WHILE YOU BURN (CALORIES)

Portland There’s always an opportunity to learn something with your dog; sometimes you teach your best friend a few tricks, and every once in a while they teach you a few things about friendship. But maybe it’s time to take a little lesson in history instead. The popular Slabtown Tours' standard routes are all available for leashed dogs and their humans. Sniff out some history at historical sites of the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition, the Vaughn Street Ballpark, or even the world’s greatest log cabin -- all with your dog at your side.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A RARE PUPPERTUNITY

Chicago While Chicagoland has plenty of great dog parks, sometimes you need a little escape from the city life. Get deep into nature by taking your pup out to the Tails on the Trails event at Morton Arboretum on May 5. With over sixteen miles of trails, the Arboretum offers plenty of space for you and your dog to hang out with the crowd or to just do your own thing and soak up some much-needed nature. Local vendors will be on hand selling doggie accoutrements, and there are even contests with prizes, where you can answer the question that’s always been in the back of your mind: Is your dog the fastest peanut butter licker around? The event officially starts at 10, but dogs and humans can arrive as early as 7am if you want to avoid the crowds.

DANCE LIKE EVERYONE'S WATCHING

Denver Sure, your friend made a video dancing with their doberman and everyone thought it was amazing. But on April 28 and 29, you and your dog could make that look like child’s play. For those unfamiliar, the World Canine Freestyle is the organizing body for those who have truly taken their fido footwork to the next level. Owners and dogs can compete in several divisions, and the level of talent is truly inspiring. The organization describes performances as “traditional dog obedience and the art of dressage with the inclusion of musical interpretation, dance elements, and costuming with an emphasis on non-standard obedience movements,” but we think the more succinct summary is a little down the page: “a showcase that truly demonstrates the joys and fun of bonding with your pet.” Fair warning though -- only dogs that are competing can be crated in the building, so you’d better start practicing your two-step (and four-legged step) if you want to qualify.

Keep seeking fun! Spring is when pent-up energy explodes into a world waiting for a dog to explore it alongside his pet parent. To see your dog thrive out there, explore it together after a big bowl of Nature's Recipe® dog food.

The answer, dear reader who is currently zipping up a hoodie, is yes. Yes, you could. What the boss doesn't want you to know is it's never been easier to work remotely -- or ditch the desk entirely, start your startup, and #LiveYourBestLife. The key is connectivity. Using data from NomadList.com and the minds of our intrepid world-travelin' contributors, we've nailed down the most convenient cities for expats and digital nomads to stay plugged in with relatively fast internet speeds (at least 15mpbs), and in many cities, cheap-to-free working spaces and free Wi-Fi flowing like wine.

While you'll find some damn fine internet in, say, Copenhagen, making it there on a budget ain't gonna happen. Reasonable living in these cities won't run more than $3,000 a month, they're all deemed generally safe for women, and they have high marks for racial tolerance, regional stability, and friendliness to foreigners. Look to any of these for a week of working vacation -- or for that open-ended stint of earning and wandering that you keep promising you'll take, one day.

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

The Brooklyn of Bali, stoked on young people, Instagrammable food, and good surf

Why you'd want to work there: There's nothing more inspiring than a morning commute in Canggu, across pristine tiny beaches and labyrinthine rice paddies with glimmering ocean views. In Bali's youthful hipster enclave, an office day consists of a dapper co-working space with surf and beach breaks, plus a steady diet of smoothie bowls, raw desserts, and cold drip coffee. The cost of living is incredibly cheap, with a two-bedroom villa priced at roughly $900 a month, and the area's premier co-working grounds, Dojo Bali, ranges from $51 a week to $146 a month for unlimited access, including facilities such as Skype booths and a pool. No wonder Canggu is home to a thriving expat colony of bespoke bikini and jewelry designers, full-time Instagrammers, startup gurus, and none of the Eat, Pray, Love crowd.

Why you'd want to live there: This is where people segue from work straight into play, with laid-back vibes strewn across a variety of beginner surf swells, perky beach bars, and yoga studios. You'll find a distinctly youthful spirit in each unique dwelling here, from Deus Ex Machina, a motorcycle-cum-surf shop, to Pretty Poison, a bar with a skate park hosting regular music gigs. Parties and events pepper the week: Check out "Dirty Ol' Wednesdays" at Old Man's Bar, practically an expat's rite of passage. -- Barbara Woolsey, Thrillist contributor

Vancouver, Canada

A shimmering natural paradise 30 miles from the US border

Why you'd want to work there: This tightly bunched nest of glass high-rises and trim bungalows truly feels like the edge of the world, where Canada (the world's 17th-largest economy) plugs into the Pacific Rim. The tech scene caps the Cascadia belt of information workers that reaches through Seattle and Portland and Silicon Valley; the sheer quantity of TV and film made here has earned it the nickname "Hollywood North." You can West Coast it: Knock off work at 5, when New York offices are dark, and go savor a sunset from above the clouds on a 4,000ft mountain, or night ski with birdlike views of the ships anchored in English Bay. Earning US dollars will take you far: The exchange rate gets you a 25% discount on any price tags you see -- which, alas, you'll need to meet the cost of living here.

Why you'd want to live there: If you're the proverbial work-hard-play-hard type, given to slacklining and beach yoga and trail-running, you'll love it here in the mild north. In winter you can stand on a clear urban beach and watch fresh powder falling on Olympic-venue ski mountains just a 30-minute drive from town. The warm summers, with 16 daylight hours at the equinox, are lit at clothing-optional Wreck Beach, where locals lap up every minute of sun before sparking up the inevitable driftwood bonfires. Your passport is license to play both sides of the border, after all. Vancouver plops you decidedly in another country, yet Seattle Mariners games and the cheap groceries at Bellingham, Washington's Trader Joe’s are short drives away. -- Sam Eifling, Thrillist Travel editor

Munich, Germany

Come for the mountains, stay for the beer.

Why you'd want to work there: Whether you're zipping between cafes and co-working spaces on your bike, cozying into a multi-national firm, or just using the city as a freelance gateway to the Alps, Munich will make you feel part of an ever-widening international happening. You’ll have, at your disposal, quick connections by train to pretty much anywhere in Central Europe; access to huge European firms; and some of the most reliable internet in the region. The attitude of Munich is work and connectivity during the week. Then, on the weekend, everyone actually stops checking work email and comes out to play.

Why you'd want to live there: Put aside the outstanding art, museums, and concerts. Munich truly excels in two key departments: mountains and beer. The most exquisite woodlands, lakes, and mountains will convert a cubicle-dweller to an outdoors person faster than you can say beer garden. There's also this little thing called Oktoberfest once a year. You may have heard of it. Its reputation feeds a certain expectation here, but the locals will surpass even your most hopeful stereotypes by grilling sausages pretty much every day of the week. -- Daniel Cole, Thrillist contributor

Seoul, South Korea

A high-tech megacity that doubles as an expat playground

Why you'd want to work there: For a modern, eclectic burg on par with the amenities and population of NYC, Seoul boasts a cost of living where the dollar goes far, and it's fairly inexpensive for an expat to settle in. Expect rent on a nicely located and furnished one-bedroom to go for about $500 a month (not including the deposit, aka key money, which runs in the $5,000 to $10,000 range; employers are known to sometimes pick up that tab). As for food, lots of expats opt for dining out most nights: A hearty Korean meal goes for about $8. The strong coffeehouse culture has free and fast Wi-Fi standard. Wireless internet is so ubiquitous here, you can hop on a perfectly strong network on the subway. Filing taxes as an American is surprisingly simple; if you're a public school teacher, you're exempt from filing US taxes for two years.

Why you'd want to live there: There's a reason expats are everywhere here. Aside from Seoul's big-city trappings, you're also a short hop from beaches, mountains, peaceful countryside, and Korea's warm-weather offshoot, Jeju Island. All of it's a breeze to get to, thanks to mass transit that blankets the peninsula. And Koreans go big on festivals of the food, beer, Comic Con, and even mud variety. The robust drinking culture has made Koreans pros at hearty partying. -- Farah Fleurima, Thrillist contributor

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Barcelona, Spain

Where tech and fashion blend with timeless Mediterranean chill

Why you'd want to work there: Picture the design and tech talent of California minus the starry-eyed, cult-of-Steve-Jobs Bay bull. In Barcelona, you can get your Mediterranean climate and your nerdy thrills amid a top European biotech and fashion capital. And you're most definitely in Spain, where 9am is truly just a suggested start to the day. Which is good for you, because when your late nights of drinking comically cheap Spanish wine (think $5-$7 for a decent rioja) start translating into late-morning exits from your apartment (or your $700/month share of one), you're going to want this leniency. Don't speak Spanish yet? You'll get by just fine in this international travel hub. Heck, a good portion of people in Barcelona are so bent on separating from Spain they often speak Catalan anyway.

Why you'd want to live there: The most common knock against Spain is that it has done a relatively miserable job of adapting to the demands of 21st-century life, preferring its sleepy, walled towns to cosmopolitan centers. Barcelona challenges and conforms to that stereotype, and that's why it's nearly the perfect place to live. If you want your skyscrapers and your glossy, 24-hour mega-stores, have at it. If you prefer to take a step back from this century -- or maybe even the two or three preceding it -- an afternoon in the Gothic quarter and the sweeping, tree-lined promenade known as Las Ramblas, munching on cheap manchego and chorizo, will remind you that life could be pretty peachy before the days of on-demand everything. -- Savannah Cox, Thrillist contributor

Phuket, Thailand

Friendliness, frolicking, and fish on the Andaman Sea

Why you'd want to work there: The dollar goes an appallingly long way on this lush tropical island. Behold the tipsy foreigners stumbling beachwards down the teeming macadam of Soi Sansabai -- they're hollering nonsense; they're swaggering groundlessly; they look like somebody just crowned them kings of the world. Really, they're high on the power of a nonsensical exchange rate. While tourists stay in perfectly boutique hotels and Airbnbs for well under $50/night, a rainbow of expats are renting rooms for under $200/month. (Plenty of older expats, who might be mere petit bourgeois in more "developed" countries, live like pre-revolutionary Romanovs in terraced estates on Kamala Beach and in the hills above Surin.) As in any country with natural splendor, fast internet (at least 20mbps), copious amenities, and weirdly low prices, there are trade-offs. Police here are alert to offenses both real and imagined, and their alarm over the latter can often be salved only with a small cash gift. (Do not get caught in actual crimes. Bribes will do you no good, and Thai justice is harsh.)

Also, Thailand is a difficult country in which to buy property outright, and the inscrutability of the country's military government and its new monarch makes it difficult to know whether a home or business that seemed safe in 2017 will be razed or confiscated in 2018. (The cafes of Surin Beach, for instance, were unceremoniously bulldozed in early 2016. They were technically operating illegally, but nobody had ever cared before.)

Why you'd want to live there: If you can forget the governmental instability in Bangkok -- and you can, for months at a time; the odds are vanishingly small that it will ever directly affect you -- then Phuket is paradise. Patong, on the peninsula's southwestern coast, is one of Southeast Asia’s great nightlife capitals, with clubs of all kinds within a few blocks of Patong Beach and a happening gay scene in the area around Soi Paradise. There's world-class scuba diving off either coast, and off the east coast, the thousand breathtaking islands of Phang Nga Bay are a quick boat ride away. (Many of these islands are "hongs," with kayak-accessible lagoons deep in their interiors, which have been hollowed out by millennia of rainfall on soft limestone rock.)

You can get the freshest, cheapest, and very often spiciest seafood of your life in any one of the towns around Phuket, but the freshest/cheapest/spiciest might be in the nameless little front-yard restaurants of Thai people, in neighborhoods where tourists seldom go. Stop by one of them -- perhaps in one of the neighborhoods you pass en route to the Big Buddha, high above the southern town of Karon. The proprietors will make you feel welcome immediately, because Phuket is one of the friendliest places in the world. -- Brandon Thorp, Thrillist contributor

Riga, Latvia

The romantic parts of the Middle Ages live amid tech savvy

Why you'd want to work there: Since shaking free of the Soviet full-nelson in 1989, Latvians are still humble -- everyone's parents here went through some real rough times -- but are leaning into the next century. You'll discover a smart city defined by its robust investments in tech infrastructure and by a post-Communist society standing firm against democratic overpricing. The result is simply an incredible value for your money -- reasonable cost of living won't exceed $1,600 a month. A bottle of choice vino sipped in a restaurant your parents would like will set you back what you're now paying for a draft IPA.

Why you'd want to live there: The largest city and economic/financial center in the Baltic states has nightlife ranging from chatting over smoked fish with Art Nouveau aficionados to getting sweaty in a rock club. You're in a small country with a big soul where the leading exports are wood products (keeping it real) and IT (that's where you come in). Only about half of Riga's 705,000 residents are native Latvians, so you'll also be mixing it up with Russians, Belarusians, and the other dudes that read this article. When you need a break from all that, Scandinavia, Russia, and Eastern and Western Europe are all within easy striking distance. Pop over to neighboring Tallinn, Estonia to find another classic European city reaching to become a high-tech superstar. -- Bruce Northam, American Detour

Budapest, Hungary

Duke it up on the banks of the Danube.

Why you'd want to work there: Because you're going to have the advantages of European city living while stashing the lion's share of your paycheck. Fancy your own 900sqft apartment within walking distance of the Danube for $500 a month? Want your own space near the Opera? Then allow me to introduce you to a low-overhead European capital I like to call Budapest. You'll dine out on goulash and opulent East European wines and have money left over for a taxi home afterwards. Add on the extremely low utility costs and affordable health care, and you have yourself the most underrated work-away-from home destination in Europe.

Why you'd want to live there: Try getting bored in Budapest, I dare you. Expats are flocking here lately for the nightlife and the easy excursions outside the city. Once you get tired of the hectic pace of life, you can find space meandering between the museums and cafes, among the rich facades and neoclassical architecture available in the inner city. You'd have to go to Vienna to surpass the density of history and design in modern Central Europe, but of course then you'd have to pay Viennese prices. -- Daniel Cole, Thrillist contributor

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Auckland, New Zealand

A Cali vibe with unique flavors and Middle-earthly environs

Why you'd want to work there: Auckland is privy to year-round gorgeous weather, with comfortably warm summers and mild, dry winters. The natural delights recall the US West Coast: the emerald-watered Waiheke Island, a medley of rainforests, thermal springs -- all fed by ocean air. Hiking, surfing, and snowboarding are at your full disposal. Auckland skimps a little on free Wi-Fi, but the internet is blazin' fast and the exchange rate is in your favor: The New Zealand dollar is flirting with some of its lowest rates against the greenback since the Great Recession; live well for a little over two grand a month.

Why you'd want to live there: New Zealand's most populous city is the spitting image of cosmopolitanism, so expats easily fit in. Two-thirds of the country identify by Pacific and Asian ethnicities, but local indigenous heritages like the Māori are also strong forces in Auckland's melting pot (and don't say you're not interested in learning more about tribal culture after watching that viral haka wedding video). Auckland's also home to thriving arts and food scenes, so live music gigs, decadent seafood feasts, and cool street murals abound. Plus it's just a conspicuously safe and tolerant city, which these days, is definitely not underrated. -- Barbara Woolsey, Thrillist contributor

Porto, Portugal

Where Western Europe decided to legalize human nature

Why you'd want to work there: Well, first of all, do Southern Europeans ever seem like they're working? One day of you doing your hyper-American work-ethic, no-napping thang, and you'll top what the local competition will accomplish in a week. Dollars buy a lot of euros these days, leaving you time and cash for you to dive into what really makes this World Heritage City tick: chill, fit people enjoying -- not rushing through -- life. You don't even need an office space here, as cafe culture has always been the way. You won't need a car either, as Porto was established (as most ancient cities were) as a walker's wonderland (updated to include a steady wireless signal).

Why you'd want to live there: Strive to be a frontline worker in the battle against shitty workplaces. The Portuguese like Americans, and you won't get the French-style thumbs-down for not speaking the native tongue. Plus you'll be in good international company as tourists and expats find their paces. You'll have organic food and wine without the US-style price hike, and slingshot distance from the Atlantic, you'll have mind-blowingly fresh, delicious, and affordable seafood dishes. Across the river from the old town, the Yeatman Hotel may be steep, but it's worth a happy hour visit to Dick's Bar, where you might catch a sexy Euro royal at leisure (then kiss that day job tchau). The 83-room, 30,000-bottle-strong wine hotel clings to a landscaped hillside and its halls double as a museum -- the Yeatmans have been a trading family since 1692 and their collection includes a wineglass-sampling anthology dating to 800 BC. Take your time, and truly relax for a change. -- Bruce Northam, American Detour

Bangkok, Thailand

The ultimate adult wonderland, where the living is easy on overseas income

Why you'd want to work there: Thailand is an illustrious base for bloggers, techies, and other self-employed folk for good reason: those idyllic tropical surroundings and low living costs, stretched even farther on Western currency. No wonder Bangkok's co-working scene has exploded in the last couple years. A desk amid stylish interiors with a barista delivering edibles right to your seat might run you $8 a day, or roughly $105 a month. Just as easily you can also set up at home, with a decent connectivity of 35mbps costing around $17 a month. Hard work days can be fueled by Bangkok's famous street eats, or any kind of delivery you could ever imagine.

Why you'd want to live there: Well-versed in excess and hedonism, Bangkok is the closest thing to an expat's never-never land. It's possible to live large on even a mid-range foreign salary. Apartments and shopping are cheap, and you'll find reasonably priced fine dining alongside sophisticated bars, speakeasies, storybook steampunk nooks, and spectacular rooftops. Late-night munchies are easily conquered with gourmet burgers and tacos (even McDonald's delivery is 24 hours, so prepare to hate your sloshed self). At least beach detoxing is just a budget AirAsia flight away, and if that fails, high-standard privatized medical care is available at various mega-hospitals -- and much cheaper than back at home. -- Barbara Woolsey, Thrillist contributor

Fall is not only pleasantly mild in Virginia Beach, it’s also prime seafood season, thanks to fish migration in the Chesapeake Bay and the prevalence of fresh oysters. But it’s not just fish you’ll find here; this beach community also boasts 8,000 acres of farmland that harvest produce year-round for local breakfast joints and fine-dining restaurants alike. All of which makes Virginia Beach the perfect destination for foodies, especially those looking to try something a bit more adventurous. We rounded up nearly a dozen food experiences you can only have here. Consider this your gastronomic itinerary.

Eat oysters on the river they’re harvested

Wild oysters mature at the beginning of fall, making months that end in “er” prime time to consume them. What’s more, Virginia Beach is the only place that harvests Lynnhaven Oysters, a local delicacy once so popular that the bivalves were allegedly sought out by royalty and presidents thanks to their salty flavor with a tinge of sweetness. (Legend has it that William Howard Taft ate 10 dozen when he visited the area in 1909.) Now, Pleasure House Oysters offers boat tours on the Lynnhaven River to see how they’re harvested, plus you can taste a few right out of the water. For an even more remarkable experience, we suggest the “Chef’s Table” dining experience ($137.50 per person), where visitors eat dinner right in the marsh with an oyster farmer as your guide. It’s offered year-round, so all you have to do is make an appointment -- they even provide waders.

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Learn a new cooking skill on a farm

Pungo, a rural area on the outskirts of Virginia Beach, boasts 8,000 acres of prime farmland, with several pick-your-own farms growing everything from strawberries to sweet potatoes. New Earth Farm, though, is all about educating the masses about local, seasonal cooking, while operating as a sustainable, working farm. They offer classes (from $20 per person) throughout the year on everything from fermenting to pickling to making kombucha, right on the property, as part of New Earth Farm’s Food Lab. Some of the area’s top chefs also teach cooking classes at the Lab, where they showcase how regional flavors and ingredients have shaped Virginia Beach’s culinary scene.

Drink coffee that’s roasted right in town

Sure, every town has a good coffeeshop, but how many roast their own beans locally? In Virginia Beach, there are two places doing just that. Three Ships Coffee Roasters, named for the trio of vessels that brought the first settlers to Jamestown, does its roasting on-site, then serves up tasty cups of joe at the cafe inside. On Shore Drive, Lynnhaven Coffee Company roasts its beans at a facility just a few blocks from their cafe, where you can also grab eats like house-cured gravlax and slow-smoked brisket sandwiches.

Take the ultimate scenic route to dinner

We don’t just mean driving on local roads instead of the highway -- in Virginia Beach you can pick up a paddle and take a sunset kayak tour through a wildlife refuge on the way to your table. Surf & Adventure Co. offers kayak dinner tours (from $60) throughout the fall and winter that guide you right to the dock at Blue Pete’s restaurant for a seafood or steak dinner. Along the way, you’ll paddle through the waters of Back Bay National Wildlife refuge, a 9,000-acre oasis with plenty of wintering wildfowl (so bring a waterproof case for your phone/camera). Blue Pete’s, a favored local hangout, even offers winter specials throughout the offseason, like half-priced steamers on Thursdays.

Have breakfast at a doctor’s office

OK, a former doctor’s office. Doc Taylor’s restaurant was originally the practice and seaside home of the very real Doctor Taylor. After that, it was briefly a pink motel. Today, it’s a local’s spot for breakfast and lunch, specializing in Southern comfort food (think biscuits and gravy, creamed chipped beef, and country ham with grits). Besides hearty brunches, the restaurant also operates the Seaside Market Lounge where you can catch live bands on Thursday nights and play cornhole while sipping on cocktails on the weekends.

Take a lunch break while shopping for antiques

Besides the giant mosaic lizard out front, the Leaping Lizard Cafe is also known for its market selling antiques, furniture, and knick-knacks. Its menu draws on fresh produce (which is also sold to diners at an onsite farm stand), with their chicken salad sandwich (made with a peach chutney and curry mayo) as well as homemade soups and baked goods getting a lot of hype. As you dine on the patio, you may even spot the occasional wandering chicken.

Watch a fishing crew unload their catch, then devour it

The Chesapeake Bay is considered the most biologically diverse estuary in the US, meaning there are more types of seafood caught out of those waters than any other estuary in the country. To get an up-close look at the action, head to The Back Deck, a nautical dive bar that sits right by the docks of the Lynnhaven Fishing Company. While you enjoy a meal of crab legs and oysters, you can watch the day’s haul get unloaded from the fishing boats, or simply take in some of the best views of the sunset in town. If you’re looking to bring some of the day’s catch home, the property is also home to the Shellfish Company open-air seafood market.

Or catch your own dinner

Just because the weather turns chillier doesn’t mean the fishing slows down in Virginia Beach. The fall and winter are prime months for seafood in the Chesapeake Bay, too, with rockfish, black sea bass, flounder, speckled trout, and blueline tilefish regularly caught within 50 miles of the shore. Inshore, however, fall means one thing for anglers: striper season. (During its height, it’s not uncommon to pull in 50-pounders.) Waterman Sportfishing, which runs offshore fishing charters and inshore striper trips (half-days start at $650 for up to 6 people), works with the nearby Waterman’s Surfside Grille to offer (successful) anglers the chance to have their cleaned fish filets cooked and served to them for dinner.

Sample fresh seafood in an old country store

If catching your own dinner isn’t your thing, head to Margie & Ray’s for some of the best seafood in town -- no fishing pole required. Located on a dirt road in Sandbridge Beach, a quieter community about 15 miles from the bustling resort area, Margie & Ray’s operated as a tackle shop and general store for its first three decades in business before transforming into a hidden gem of a seafood restaurant. Today, it offers up some of the best she-crab soup in Virginia Beach and giant platters with samplings of all the local catches.

Enjoy the local produce at a fancy dinner

By November, you-pick season in Virginia Beach has just about finished for the year -- but that doesn’t mean fresh, local produce is out of grasp. Butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and more from Cromwell’s Produce (and a half-dozen other Virginia farms) are on the menu at Terrapin, an upscale restaurant led by chef/owner Rodney Einhorn. Einhorn, who has cooked at New York’s James Beard House twice, most recently as part of their Virginia Craft: Heritage Eats dinner, changes the menu almost daily based on what local ingredients he can source. Our recommendation: order the tasting menu, it’s only $58 per person.

Indulge in some local sweets

The Town Center of Virginia Beach is in the heart of the city’s business district, and offers plenty of dining options in addition to shopping. To satisfy a sweet craving, check out The Royal Chocolate, run by two local women who have been creating tasty confections since 2006, from decadent chocolate- and caramel-dipped apples to gourmet truffles. The store will also host chocolate fondue parties for up to 20 people, complete with all the stuff for dipping. Yeah, you should definitely save room for dessert.

San Diegans look for any excuse to celebrate, and we do love our pyrotechnics, even when things don’t go quite right. This Independence Day, there’s dozens of parades, picnics, beach parties, festivals, and yes, fireworks displays all around the city, from the border to the bay. So grab your sunscreen and head out to soak up some rays, drink some beers, eat some burgers and snuggle under a blanket while you watch the dazzling displays. We've rounded up all the best places for you to catch every jaw-dropping moment.

San Diego

DowntownTime: 9pm Billed as the largest display on the West Coast, the Big Bay Boom’s pyrotechnic artists put on a dazzling show from four barges strategically located around the North San Diego Bay, choreographed with music simulcast live on THE MIGHTY 1090 AM and MAX FM 105.7. There's plenty of free, prime viewing from the shores around Point Loma, Shelter Island, Harbor Island, Liberty Station, Little Italy, the North Embarcadero, Seaport Village, and the South Embarcadero to the Coronado Ferry Landing.Parking: Parking around the bay fills up early, so public transportation and ride-sharing services are recommended. Here’s a handy guide to your options.

Pacific BeachTime: 9:40pm SeaWorld celebrates Independence Day with a 15-minute display of fireworks set to a musical soundtrack. The show is free with your admission ticket and is visible from anywhere in the park, but upgraded seating in two amphitheatres is available for an additional $25.Parking: $20/ for a car or motorcycle onsite, $25+ for up-close parking, and $35+/car, $40/RVs and campers for VIP parking

Ocean BeachTime: 9pm Pack a picnic and laze the day away swimming in the ocean, walking and playing in the sand, and shopping along Newport Avenue. Then, get your blankets and snuggle up for a spectacular fireworks show launched from the OB Pier; tune in to KyXy 96.5 so you can hear the fireworks soundtrack being broadcast simultaneously during the show.Parking: Free parking is available at the Main Beach Parking Lot and the Pier Parking Lot.

CoronadoTime: 9pm Coronado's popular annual Independence Day celebration starts with three races - the 43rd Annual Independence Day 12K Run – 5K Run/Walk, a rough water swim and a 1 mile sprint down Orange Avenue, followed by a parade, Art-in-the-Park, a concert in the park, and capped off by a fireworks display over Glorietta Bay, complete with a soundtrack broadcast by KyXy 96.5. Locals like to bike or walk to the Coronado Golf Course or Stingray Point for topnotch viewing.Parking: Unless you live on Coronado Island, finding street parking is notoriously difficult, so consider carpooling, using ridesharing services, or taking the ferry over.

North Coastal

Del MarTime: 9pm Spend the day at the San Diego County Fair (it’s the final day), and end it with a breathtaking fireworks show that includes more than 3,600 aerial display counts, with 500 shells in the grand finale alone! The show is visible from many areas of the Fairgrounds, but for an extra fee (of $18-42), you can purchase a reserved ticket in the Grandstand that ensures your seat for the entire evening’s entertainment lineup.Parking: $15-25 per car for onsite parking, and free offsite parking includes a shuttle service. Or you can take public transportation, which will delivery you right to the admission gate.

CarlsbadTime: 8:30pm Grab the kids and head to Legoland for the day. Enjoy over 60 rides, shows and attractions along with some all-American picnic games like burlap races and water-balloon tosses, then top it off with an awe-inspiring fireworks display set to a patriotic musical tribute with great viewing in designated locations throughout the park.Parking: On site parking is $20/car, $10/motorcycle, and $30/motorhomes, oversized vans and vehicles with trailers. Preferred parking is $30/car

OceansideTime: 9pm The city of Oceanside celebrates its 130th anniversary and Independence Day with a free, family-friendly event at the beach (the day before Independence Day itself). Arrive anytime after 6pm, park in the nearby lots, bring your beach chairs, and walk to the viewing area on Rancho Del Oro Drive where there will be food trucks and live music.Parking: Free parking is available in the nearby Ocean Ranch Business Park

North Inland

EscondidoTime: 9pm Escondido’s 55th Annual Independence Day Festival & Fireworks is a free, family-friendly event featuring live music by Moonlight Trio, Finnegan Blue, and Casey Hensley, as well as incredible food vendors, and enough children’s activities and games to keep the kids busy for hours. A special performance by the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band will take place just before the dazzling fireworks display. All-ages VIP tickets are available for $5 and grant you access to preferred stage viewing, shaded and air-conditioned areas, private restrooms, giant games, and the best seat in the house for firework viewing. For 21+ guests, Stone Brewing Co. and Jacked Up Brewery will be offering beer tastings. Bring items from this list to donate to the San Diego Food Bank, and you'll receive a ticket for one free 4 oz. taster per item donated (up to three per person)!Parking: Free but limited, so consider carpooling or ride share services.

Mira MesaTime: 9pm Independence Day starts early in Mira Mesa with a pancake breakfast, hosted by the Black Mountain Masonic Lodge at the Mira Mesa Senior Center from 7-11 am, before moving the festivities to the Mira Mesa Community Park for a day-long party featuring a parade, food vendors, a Kid’s Zone with activities and shows, and plenty of other entertainment. The park provides prime viewing of the extravagant fireworks display, which will feature over 500 rockets.Parking: Free but limited street parking, as the park is located in a residential neighborhood.

PowayTime: 9pm Bring your family and friends to Old Poway Park and celebrate our country’s independence, “turn-of-the-20th-century-style.” This daytime event will feature patriotic entertainment, gunfighting reenactments, free children's crafts, train displays, and old-fashioned games. Tasty treats and train rides will be available for a nominal fee. After the party, head over to the Poway High School Stadium, where the skies above the grandstand will light up with spectacular fireworks while games, activities, and a DJ spinning the tunes round out the fun. Entry to the stadium is $5, but kids 11 and under get in free. Note: The party and the fireworks take place at different venues -- allow plenty of time so you don’t miss out on anything!Parking for the party in Old Poway Park: Free Shuttles to and from the event from two different locations: Poway City Hall parking lot, and the Poway Adult School parking lot. Shuttles will run throughout the event.Parking for the fireworks: Free at the school, but allow plenty of time.

Rancho BernardoTime: 9pmThe Spirit of the Fourth Community Fair in beautiful Webb Lake Park opens at 9am, with an array of food vendors, food trucks, drinks, handicrafts and other items; activities include a classic car show, a patriotic pet costume contest, a magic show, and a rubber ducky race. At 6pm, the gates to the fireworks show open at the Athletic Field of Bernardo Heights Middle School with live music by the local "Us" Band. The "Sky Concert" fireworks display ends with a grand finale of nearly 400 high altitude shells, and seating is on the grass, so be sure to bring blankets or lawn chairs for comfort. A donation of $10 per person or $20 for a family is requested at the entrance of the event to support the fireworks show. Note: The fair and the fireworks take place at different venues -- allow plenty of time so you don’t miss out on anything!Parking for the fair: Free parking is available around the office buildings in the vicinity, but avoid parking in the Pearl Chinese Restaurant parking lot.Parking for the fireworks: Free in the student parking lot off Avenida Venusto.

San MarcosTime: 9pm The City of San Marcos is home to one of the most spirited Fourth of July celebrations in North County, so celebrate this Independence Day at the annual San Marcos Fireworks Extravaganza at Bradley Park. Live entertainment starts at 6pm, with music by Liquid Blue Dance & Party Band, carnival games, jumpers, food sales, and kids’ activities, culminating with a phenomenal fireworks celebration that's free to residents and their guests. The fireworks display is entirely dependent on private donations, so if you enjoy the show, fork over a few bucks to keep it going.Parking: Limited parking at Bradley Park and surrounding residential area.

VistaTime: 9pm Celebrate the Fourth of July in Vista at the Moonlight Amphitheatre at Brengle Terrace Park. The festivities begin with an honorary ceremony saluting local military heroes and live music by the Mar Dels followed by an extravagant fireworks display. Food and non-alcoholic drinks may be brought into the amphitheatre, and beer and wine are available for purchase. Admission to the Moonlight Amphitheatre is $5 per person, but free for children five and under, active and retired military, and their immediate family.Parking: $15/car, $30/RV

East County

El CajonTime: 9pm Honor Independence Day in El Cajon with a good old-fashioned picnic at John F. Kennedy Park, Rec Center & Skate Park. The Fourth of July event starts at 2pm with food, games, prizes, kiddie train rides, and more; live musical entertainment begins at 3pm, and the fireworks kick off at 9pm. Arrive early to find the best spot for your picnic and to view the fireworks!Parking: Free parking at JFK Park and surrounding areas

SanteeTime: 9pm Santee salutes our nation’s 242nd birthday at Town Center Community Park East, beginning at 2:30pm with live music by the 80z All Stars, a patriotic ceremony with Santee’s adopted Marine Unit, a food frenzy, and carnival fun zone. The evening concludes with East County’s best fireworks show.Parking: $5/car for onsite parking with no in and out privileges; a continuous free shuttle service will be available from 3:30-11pm, running between the Costco parking lot on Cuyamaca near Rio Seco school to the event site.

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South Bay

Chula VistaTime: 9pm Chula Vista’s Fourth Fest is held at the splendid Elite Athlete Training Center, with gates opening at 6pm; the event is free and open to the public. Fern Street Circus will be providing free shows and kids' activities at nearby viewing area Mountain Hawk Park. Find your perfect spot to watch the fireworks and tune in to one of these participating stations for specially coordinated music: 91X, Magic 92.5, and Z90.3. Even if it’s warm during the day, the evening weather can be cool in this neighborhood, so bring blankets and cozy clothing to layer on.Parking: They have a map!

Imperial BeachTime: 9pm The fireworks in Imperial Beach are set off from the Imperial Beach Pier, so the best viewing is on the beach from Imperial Beach Boulevard to Palm Avenue, facing the end of Portwood Pier. Pack a picnic (or purchase some snacks from nearby restaurants), spread out a blanket to stake your territory, and catch all the action. Tune into KyXy Radio 96.5 for a synced music playlist set to the fireworks show!Parking: There is some free street parking in residential neighborhoods, along with public lots

San YsidroTime: 9pm The Independence Day celebration at Larsen Field, Cesar Chavez Park in San Ysidro is the perfect free event for family and friends. Starting at 3pm, the festival presents an outstanding musical lineup and features a range of music, dance, and live performances in English and Spanish. There's also a children’s area with an inflatable city, Lucha Libre, interactive children’s activities, face painting, and more to keep everyone busy before the fireworks display.Parking: Limited free street and surrounding residential areas

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Mary Beth Abate is a San Diego-based freelance writer by way of Chicago and Los Angeles. Her hobbies include yoga, pickling and fermenting various vegetables and beverages, reading cookbooks and traveling around Mexico. Keep up with her experiments @MaryBeth_Abate.

The air might feel more crisp than it did a month ago, but that doesn’t mean you need to hide by the fireplace until April. Instead, escape to Virginia Beach, where the outdoors is still the place to be even as the temperature drops. You see, fall in this coastal town is filled with sunshine, watersports, seafood -- basically all the best parts of summer with way less sweating. So we put together the perfect outdoor itinerary for how to spend an autumn day in Virginia Beach, including where to find a little adventure.

Rise and shine (and stretch)

Before your adventure-filled day begins, take a few moments to relax by combining two of the most calming things ever: crashing waves and yoga. (It’s so soothing they make sound machines just to mimic ocean water, but here you can experience it IRL.) Oceanfront Yoga offers 6:30am classes three days a week at its beachside studio (or book a group lesson right in the sand) so you can practice your Sun Salutation while the sun rises -- then lay in Savasana (Corpse Pose) for-freakin’-ever because you deserve it for waking up before the sun did.

Eat breakfast on the boardwalk

Breakfast is the most important meal of an active day, so stop by local favorite Zeke’s Beans and Bowls (open 8am daily), known for its pour-over coffee and made-to-order açai and poke bowls. Grab a PB&J bowl (blended açai and peanut butter topped with granola, banana, strawberry, raisin, coconut, and almond) and a fair-trade brew to go, then take a short walk down Norfolk Avenue to the scenic South Beach Trail, an eight-mile path and boardwalk perfect for sipping coffee and taking in the morning breeze.

Try to spot some animals in their natural habitat

We say “try” not because the animals aren’t there, but because there are a lot of places for them to hide in this wildlife refuge’s 9,250 acres. Established in 1938, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge nearly doubled in size in the 1980s and now, it’s a whopping 30 times bigger than Disney World’s Epcot theme park. (But don’t worry: there are no height requirements here.) During the fall, you’ll find thousands of tundra swans, snow & Canada geese, and a variety of ducks migrating through the area. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some of the endangered species that call this Virginia Beach sanctuary home: loggerhead sea turtles, piping plovers, brown pelicans, and bald eagles. Though some trails close for the winter (and tours ended for the season in October), guests are encouraged to explore the refuge on their own. (Bonus: no entrance fees November through March).

Paddle through history at First Landing State Park

As its name implies, First Landing State Park is where the Virginia Company colonists first made landfall in 1607 before establishing Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America. The park includes 1.5 miles of beachfront, 20 miles of trails, and more than 2,700 acres of protected salt marsh, tidal marsh, freshwater ponds, and swampland. The diversity of habitats can even be explored by paddleboard or kayak; book with Tula Adventure Sports ($65 per person) for an experienced guide who will teach you both how to paddle and about the area wildlife. Afterwards, head to the park’s picnic area for a relaxing meal. It’s equipped with the basics like charcoal grills, tables, and electricity, so pack a cooler for lunch and get there early to stake your claim.

Fly through the air with the greatest of ease

If it’s a little excitement you seek, look no further than the epic Adventure Park at Virginia Aquarium. With multiple zip lines stretching 150 feet above the ground, platforms nestled in the trees, and bridges made out of wood and rope, you’ll feel like you’re on American Ninja Warrior as you swing and leap about. Tickets are offered by the hour (two hours of climbing will run adults $41 and three hours is $55, though prices are lower for kids) and include an additional 40-minute orientation followed by free climb. You might need to start off easy, but we bet you’ll be giving off serious Tarzan vibes by the end of your visit.

Stroll around the Town Center

If you’re a visiting city dweller in need of some urban landscape to break up your outdoor adventuring, spend an hour hopping among the shops (Anthropologie, Brooks Brothers, Paper Source) at the open-air Virginia Beach Town Center. When your feet need a break, pop into Sonoma Wine Bar & Bistro, which boasts a 40-bottle wine list and outdoor patio perfect for people-watching. Wrap your Town Center stroll at the two-story sugar oasis Just Cupcakes for one of their 10 flavors of confectionary goodness (triple chocolate, funfetti), then head two blocks over to Central Park on Columbus Street. Sure, it’s not that Central Park, but does it have beautiful seasonal foliage? Check. A serene pond? Check. Benches on which you can enjoy your cupcake or capture it perfectly in the autumn light for Instagram? Uh, check.

Ride off into the sunset

There’s no better way to catch that gorgeous beach sunset than on horseback. (Well, maybe via SpaceX rocket, but we hear Elon Musk’s still working out the kinks.) Virginia Beach Horseback offers 60-minute tours ($80 per person) starting at 26th Street and heading south to the pier and back. The best part? They’re timed precisely around that magic hour (5pm in November) so you can feel like you’re starring in a rom-com as you trot through the sand. Any ideas for your leading man? Because we think you and Chris Pratt would make a good match.

Dine al fresco (with a view)

Don’t let your time by the water end just yet -- instead, head over to the Pier House at Long Bay Pointe Marina for an outdoor feast at One Fish-Two Fish. Grab a table on its wrap-around patio boasting impressive waterfront views and dine on a menu of fresh seafood including sautéed jumbo lump crab cakes, crispy fried flounder, and sesame seared ahi tuna (though no red fish or blue fish, sorry). Before you call it quits for the night, stop by Commonwealth Brewing Company’s outdoor beer garden for a late-night beverage. Located in the former Chesapeake Beach Fire & Rescue station, this craft brewery (est. 2015) offers nearly 40, cheekily-named beers on tap, like the Dystophic (a black saison) and the Hümblebräg (a double India Pale Lager).

Ditch the hotel and set up camp

Listen, you can stay in a hotel in any city. When you have the opportunity to doze among nature, well...you should. (Plus, you can opt for glamping options if roughing it’s not your thing.) In the far southeast corner of Virginia Beach, False Cape State Park offers six miles of unspoiled beaches and 12 campsites ($11-$13 per night). Your own equipment is required and reservations can be made online; beach camping is subject to high tide, but the facility is open year-round. If you’d prefer something a little less DIY, the Holiday Trav-L Park ($25-$47 per night) provides a place to camp with water, electricity, swimming pools, volleyball & basketball courts, and cabins -- all in a location a block away from the beach. We’ll see ya on the sand.

Plenty of people can let the Fourth of July come and go without a passing interest in seeing a fireworks show -- very few of them live here in LA, which is why we have a glut of displays around town. Some are straightforward shows, while others are part of a town festival or concert, so whether you want to grab a blanket and watch from our many breezy beaches, check out a patriotic parade, or get a side of live music with your pyrotechnics, you’ll have no problem finding the perfect fireworks show without having to travel far. Here’s our guide on where to go, how to get there, what to do beforehand, and when to show up.

When do the fireworks start?

While the exact times may vary, nearly all the fireworks displays start close to 9pm; there will, of course, be lots of pre-fireworks activities going on around town, so you should get out there early if you want to lock down your view.

Where are all the fireworks shows this year?

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AmericaFest at Rose Bowl StadiumPasadenaFestival: 2pmFireworks: 9pm Those with kids in tow can show up early to play around in the Family Fun Zone -- which sounds like fun... for families. Live music starts at 7pm, with performances by American Idol champ Maddie Poppe doing a Michael Jackson tribute sing-a-long (in what’s sure to be a favorite new Independence Day tradition?) followed up by a big old fireworks display at 9pm. Tickets are required, but will only cost $15-30.

Union Footwear Women's BC Ankle Boot Black Black Ezqx7x0Echo ParkGame: 5:10pmFireworks: Immediately after game ends Watch the Dodgers take on the Pittsburgh Pirates and then stick around (hey, you’ve already got your seat) for one of the city’s biggest fireworks shows, taking place right there at the stadium as soon as the game ends. The few remaining tickets are admittedly expensive (in the hundreds of dollars range), so a cheaper alternative would be to tailgate and watch the show from the parking lot.

Hollywood BowlHollywoodShow: 7:30pmFireworks: Sometime after dark What’s better than a night at LA’s favorite amphitheater? One that includes a fireworks show and an ‘80s band, of course: the beloved Go-Go’s will perform their hits along with patriotic-themed performances by the LA Phil and US Air Force Band of the Golden West. Since this is a Hollywood Bowl show, tickets will run you anywhere from $32 to $282 depending on your seat.

July Fourth at the MarinaMarina del ReyFireworks: 9pm Parking is a beast, so grab a Bird and head down to MdR early for one of LA’s most stunning pyrotechnic shows that’s set on the channel. You can catch the show from the beach or nearby Burton Chace Park -- and if you know someone with a boat, start being super nice to them immediately.

Grand Park + The Music Center's Fourth of July Block PartyDowntownBlock Party: 2pmFireworks: 8:30pm The (free) all-day summer celebration will feature two stages of live music and DJs, tons of food trucks, games, and chalk art sessions for the kids, and finally, an 8:30pm fireworks display from the roof of The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion that all of DTLA can see.

Cinespia Footloose and FireworksHollywood Forever CemeteryMovie: 9pmFireworks: As soon as the movie ends The opportunity to watch a rebellious Kevin Bacon shake it in a tux followed by live fireworks may only happen once in a lifetime, and this is it: there will be a glorious graveyard screening of Footloose, with the fireworks lighting up the sky right as the credits start rolling. Doors open at 7:15pm and there will also be a prom-themed photo booth on hand and tunes by DJ Chris Holmes, along with popcorn, candy, and beer and wine for sale. Tickets are $35.

Malibu Fireworks DisplaysMalibuFireworks: 9pm Celebrities aren’t just like us. That’s why the rich-and-famous-magnet Malibu has not one, but two different displays on the 4th: one set off from Paradise Cove, and the other at Malibu Colony. Catch ‘em from some of the nicest beaches in the county. You can find a public access map here, and don’t let anyone tell you they’re all private.

Palisades Fourth of July Parade, Concert and FireworksPacific PalisadesParade: 1:50pmFireworks: 9pm If you’re wondering how excited the ritzy beach town is about its 70th Grand Anniversary parade, well, they’re kicking it off with skydivers. At 4pm, the “Palisades Rocks the 4th” concert kicks off with live music on two stages, followed by the fireworks display at 9. If you want a spot in the stadium show, you’ll need to buy a ticket for $10-12.

El Segundo Fourth of July CelebrationEl SegundoCelebration: 10amFireworks: 9pm If you’re looking for a throwback small-town scene, this old-fashioned fest will include pie-eating and watermelon-eating contests and a water-balloon toss, in addition to lots of food vendors, live music from 5-7pm, and a fireworks display capping it all off at 9pm. You’ll need to buy a wristband to view the show from grandstand seating, which'll run you $5.

The City of Torrance Fourth of July Fireworks ShowTorranceFireworks: 9pm South Bay peeps can catch the display from the Los Angeles County Courthouse parking lot or the Toyota Sports Complex, where free tickets and seating are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Culver City Fourth of July Fireworks ShowWest LA CollegeGates open: 4pmFireworks: 9pm Expect carnival games, raffles, cover bands, and a bunch of food trucks when gates open, with the sky show starting up after dark. There's a $5 suggested donation to enter, and parking is $15 per car -- or you can take a $1 shuttle from the Culver City Transit Center at Westfield Culver City.

How should I get around?

Like it or not, slowly. Everyone is off from work, and traffic will be hellish. Ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber are always a good option if you’re going to indulge. And, depending on where you’re headed, taking the Metro is a cheap and easy option, especially if your destination is Downtown ... or the beach, by way of Santa Monica via the Expo Line. You can then grab a Bird scooter upon arrival (because they’re everywhere in these parts) and zip around the Westside without a traffic care in the world.

Where should I pregame?

Many of the venues hosting fireworks displays also offer food, music, entertainment, games, and general fun for much of the afternoon and evening leading up to the blasts. You can easily spend the day beach barhopping by bike if you plant to catch waterfront fireworks later in the evening, or you can hit up Santa Monica’s Fourth of July parade on bar-and-restaurant-lined Main Street to kill some time.

Plenty of venues -- from the Westside to Downtown -- will be offering food and drink specials during the day, and other stuff you’d never expect on a Wednesday. Esters Wine Shop & Bar in Santa Monica, for example, will be doing a boozy brunch from 10am to 2:30pm, while The Bungalow is kicking off its patio party at noon with a DJ and hot dog cart. You can also camp out at one of our fine city’s ever-growing pool of rooftop bars, where you’ll most likely be able to see some sort of nearby fireworks show after the sun goes down -- and if you can’t see them, well, at least you’re still up on a roof drinking. If you're feeling a bit more DIY, bring your best picnic game to Barnsdall Park, which provides views of multiple shows from a distance.

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What will the weather be like?

Well, we’re in LA, so there’s no single, easy answer. Right now, it’s looking like it’ll be in the perfect mid-70s at the beach, but could be cloudy (which might impede viewing for those at the beach, so keep an eye on the reports). As always, the beach at night can get super chilly and breezy, so you’re gonna want to bring your jacket and a few blankets. It’ll get hotter as you head east, of course, with Downtown staying sunny and in the 80s, and temps getting a bit more uncomfortable in Pasadena.

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Lizbeth Scordo is a food, travel and lifestyle writer who once brought a box of fireworks on a plane and nobody said anything. Follow her lack of pyrotechnic knowledge on Instagram @modlizbeth and Twitter @lalizbeth.

Virginia Beach has a lot to offer as a dining destination -- fish caught fresh from the Chesapeake Bay, a surprising number of barbecue joints, a booming craft beer scene -- but oysters can stake a claim as one of the most unique eating experiences for visitors. The local delicacy, Lynnhaven oysters, were renowned by English settlers in the 1600s for their taste and being “as big as dinner plates.” After disappearing in the 1960s when the Lynnhaven River was temporarily closed to harvesting, they’ve made a healthy comeback over the last decade -- and the coastal city really, really loves them.

In general, the state is so famous for oysters (it boasts eight distinct flavor regions) that the governor declared November “Virginia Oyster Month.” But you can enjoy these tasty bivalves year-round in Virginia Beach with a host of ways to satisfy your craving. Follow this guide and you’ll be eating oysters for breakfast, eating them fried, and eating them fresh from the water. Don’t forget your appetite (or your oyster knife).

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Hop aboard an oyster tour

You can’t get closer to the pride of Virginia Beach than this: With Pleasure House Oysters, you’ll strap on waders and jump right into the Lynnhaven River on one of their three oyster boat tours. Owned by Captain Chris Ludford, a dedicated oysterman and advocate for conserving the area’s waterways since 2010, Pleasure House’s educational, on-the-water experiences don’t just give you a taste of the local delicacy, they show you how Lynnhaven oysters are harvested. Choose from the four-hour Chef’s Table Tour (where guests enjoy lunch or dinner at a table right in the marsh, a trip to the oyster farm, and a lesson on the surrounding water and wildlife); the two-hour Tasting Tour (a quick lesson and oyster-tasting on the water); or the four-hour Waterman Tour (a hands-on experience that includes a tasting and the opportunity to handle oysters -- as well as crabs, eels, and fish pots when they’re in season). Pro tip: Guests are encouraged to BYOB, giving you an excuse to swing by nearby Pleasure House Brewing and pick up a growler of Shore Drive Lager for the day.

Enjoy the ease of a fried oyster

Sure, it’s fun to shuck an oyster yourself, or eat them on the half shelf (some might even argue that’s part of the experience), but sometimes it’s nice to enjoy them without the added work. Aside from the fact that everything fried is delicious, fried oysters -- which are shucked and battered in buttermilk, flour, cornmeal, and spices -- are easy to come by in Virginia Beach. Margie and Ray’s Crabhouse (established in 1964 as a small country store and tackle shop) serves them a la carte, on a Caesar salad, and in a fried seafood platter, while Dockside Seafood & Fishing Center offers a fried oyster sandwich (even easier!). Plus, at Dockside, you can choose among several beers on draft from Norfolk-based O’Connor Brewing Co. to pair with your meal.

Enjoy oysters on the waterfront

The Back Deck, an eatery on Wolfsnare Creek, wants to make sure you have the perfect view paired with your oysters. Tucked behind The Shellfish Company’s market, this cafe’s seafood is as fresh as it gets: the owners’ fishing fleet unloads its catch at the bar’s dock daily. Choose from Bayside oysters (lower in salinity and found on the bay side of Virginia’s Eastern shore), Seaside oysters (extremely salty and raised on the Atlantic side of the Eastern shore), and the classic Virginia Lynnhaven (salty and slightly sweet, with a smooth finish). Pair them with tacos (pulled pork, chicken, and, of course, fish), pizza, and an inclusive list of appetizers. Over on Rudee Inlet, the double-decker Rockafeller’s has been a dining staple since 1989 and is known for their Oysters Rockafeller, prepared with spinach, bacon & cheese, and baked until bubbly. With a view of the marina from your table, you’ll want to stay long after you’ve finished your last plate.

Start the day with a hearty oyster breakfast

Why wait until lunch to have oysters when you can eat them for breakfast? With two locations in Virginia Beach, Bay Local Eatery serves up oysters all day -- and it opens early, at 7am. Before embarking on an adventure-filled day, stop in for a cup of coffee and a grilled oyster melt: that’s six oysters on rye with American, Swiss, and provolone cheese, plus tomatoes, arugula, and cajun aioli. Or opt for something high in protein like the Willis Wharf Special: house Rockefeller mix folded into an omelet, then topped with hollandaise and fried oysters. But leave room for lunch and dinner -- there are so many more oysters still calling your name.

Go on a guided oyster and brewery/wine tour

There’s no reason you need to have oysters only one way or from just one restaurant -- at least not if you go on this four-hour, three-stop local oyster and craft brew or wine excursion with Taste Virginia Tours. For just $79 per person, chef and food historian Patrick Evans-Hylton will guide you to award-winning Virginia Beach restaurants such as Rockafeller’s and Catch 31 to taste oysters from different regions served in various preparations (raw, stewed, fried, etc.). Expertly paired with craft beers from local breweries like Back Bay, or wines from nearby Williamsburg Winery, among others, this is the all-encompassing Virginia Beach experience. Your palate won’t know what hit it.

Hit up a very happy hour

Everyone, everywhere goes crazy for an oyster happy hour -- and Virginia Beach takes that wonderful time of day to the next level. Remember: the oysters may be cheaper, but they’re still the same, fresh delicacy you’d get at lunch or dinner. Stop into Calypso Bar & Grill on Atlantic Avenue for a pint from nearby Green Flash Brewing Co. to sip with 79-cent oysters (wings and clams, too) every day from 2-7pm. (Show up at 7:05pm and those puppies go up to $7 for a half dozen.) About six miles away at Lucky Oyster, happy hour runs seven days a week at the bar (4-7pm Monday-Friday and all day on the weekend). Stop in and eat your fill; oysters come raw or steamed on the half shell for just 60 cents each.

Get fancy with it

If you haven’t figured it out by now, Virginia Beach takes its oysters -- and seafood in general -- very seriously. For a fine-dining experience, choose from one of the AAA Four-Diamond rated restaurants around town, like surf n’ turf at Salacia Prime Seafood & Steaks or Zoës Steak & Seafood. At the former, the oysters come three ways: Neptune (fried on the half shell with creamed Surry ham, shallots, and basil); Rockefeller (applewood bacon, spinach, jack cheese, and pernod); or ice cold on the half shell (served with cocktail sauce, raspberry mignonette, and grated horseradish). At the latter, it’s simply raw local oysters with a seasonal mignonette -- but the in-house sommelier can help you find the right vino to pair. Looking for something more adventurous? The menu changes daily at Terrapin, where the oysters are always market-fresh; varieties include Sun Hollow and Kumamoto (both from Washington state), and, of course, the local favorite, Lynnhaven, from Pleasure House Oysters.

Prepare them however you please

Once you’re sufficiently inspired by what you’ve tasted, buy a sack of oysters at Bonney & Sons Seafood and Produce and try preparing them yourself. (On your way, swing by Reaver Beach Brewing Co. to pick up a six-pack to enjoy with your meal.) Since you can eat oysters raw, you can totally make a tasty lunch at your Airbnb rental -- if you know how to shuck them properly. To start, clean the oysters well with a scrub brush and cold water. Next, hold the shell in a towel (to protect your hands) with the flat side up and its hinge exposed. Using an oyster knife (which is short and pointed to break open the shell, but dull enough to not cut up the entire oyster), poke into the hinge and twist it back and forth until the top pops open. That’s it. (Come on, you’ve seen it on Top Chef a million times, right?) Serve the half shells over ice with a traditional mignonette (made by mixing white vinegar, minced shallot, and freshly ground pepper) or flavor of your choice. Bonus: you’ve now got a signature dish for every potluck you attend.

When the non-profit Christopher Street West organized the first-ever permitted parade advocating for gay rights back in 1970 (in response to the Stonewall Riots that had taken place in New York the year prior), the country was a very different place when it came to LGBTQ equality. While we’ve come a long way, we also know that there’s still work to be done given the current political climate. Pride events now take place around the world to help raise awareness about equality and inclusion... and also happen to always be fun and fabulous parties. (We’re almost positive no one has ever walked away from a Pride festival thinking “Well that was kind of boring.”) And, of course, the bash right here in West Hollywood is no exception.

While June is Pride Month, LA Pride Week events kicked off June 1, and the 2018 LA Pride festival will be going on all weekend, the absolute highlight is always the free, fabled, and float-filled parade that takes place this Sunday. Here’s everything you need to know to get in on the over-the-top celebration.

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Where and when does the parade start?

LA's Pride Parade will get going at 11am on Sunday, June 10 at Santa Monica Boulevard and Fairfax, and make its way down a 2-mile stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard, officially ending around 2pm at Santa Monica and Doheny. Attending the parade is free, and seating is on a first-come basis. Expect lots of rainbow everything, tens of thousands of spectators and participants, and floats showcasing everything from local non-profits to reality stars to corporate sponsors (Our favorite float slogan was Chipotle’s "¿Homo Estas?" a few years back.)

Will there be street closures?

This is a parade in LA, so of course there'll be closures. Streets along the route will be closed from 5am through 5pm on Sunday

San Vicente Boulevard is closed between Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue the entire weekend, through 10am Monday.

Santa Monica Boulevard is closed from Fairfax Avenue to Doheny Drive from 5am to 5pm on Sunday.

Streets one block north and south of Santa Monica Boulevard is closed from Fairfax Avenue to Doheny Drive from 5am to 5pm on Sunday.

Crescent Heights Boulevard is closed from Romaine Street to Fountain Avenue from 5am to 5pm on Sunday.

Norton Avenue is closed between Havenhurst Drive and Laurel Avenue from 5am to 5pm on Sunday.

Holloway Drive is closed between Santa Monica Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard from 5am to 5pm on Sunday.

How do I get there?

The good news is the city won’t be enforcing permit parking all weekend, but finding a free street spot will be a crap shoot and metered parking rules will be enforced. Several public lots around the neighborhood will be open but will be charging $20 to park. Taking an Uber or Lyft is probably your best bet (especially if you plan to imbibe at any of the area bars -- of which there is no shortage -- afterward). There isn’t a super-convenient Metro stop to the parade, but you could take the Red Line to the Hollywood and Vine stop (about 3 miles from the start of the parade route) and then grab a ride share from there.

Is there a theme?

There sure is: #JUSTBE. Organizers say the theme honors the fact that everyone experiences Pride differently, and the hashtag is an invitation for participants to express whatever Pride means to them in an authentic way. Sounds good to us!

Who's leading the parade?

Michaela Mendelsohn, LGBTQ+ activist and accomplished businesswoman (she’s CEO of one of the largest franchises for El Pollo Loco restaurants in the West) will serve as grand marshal this year. Mendelsohn is also the founder of TransCanWork, a program that promotes transgender inclusivity in the workplace.

What performers will be there?

Afterward, you can stick around catch a slew of acts beginning at 3:50pm on three different stages with performers including ‘90s songstress CeCe Peniston (7pm on the Boulevard stage), Latin pop star Natalia Jiminez (7:30pm on the Plaza Stage), and hip-hop performer Eve (8:25 on the Park Stage), all culminating with headliner Tove-Lo (9:40pm on the Park Stage).

Note that the acts are part of the ticketed festival (located in West Hollywood Park and in the Pacific Design Center Plaza), so you’ll need to pay for a ticket. You can Brindle Ankle Women's Brand Bootie Galley Lucky fOzAnpWO, or at the door for $30 for a Sunday-only pass, but If you’re thinking of hitting up the festival on Saturday, too, it’s only 10 bucks more for full-weekend entry. Seniors, vets, and active military are charged just $15 for the whole weekend.

The best way to see a new place is to eat your way through its restaurants, and the Emerald Isle is no exception. With a ton of farmland, artisan cheesemakers, and fishing ports (um, it is an island), Ireland’s culinary scene is exploding, notably thanks to a focus on locally-sourced ingredients. At this point, even the world’s most-discerning critics are starting to notice. Here’s where you should definitely be making a reservation:

Chef Jess Murphy’s partnerships with local growers and makers has turned Galway into foodie paradise. Three different Irish cheesemongers, several nearby farms, and local produce are the backbone of her fresh take on traditional Irish cuisine. Her husband and Kai’s co-owner, David, runs the cozy front of house, which features stone walls and lime-green antique dining chairs.Try: The monkfish, and be sure to religiously sop up the extra broth with their homemade brown bread.

John and Sally McKennas' Guides named Harry’s “Ireland’s Best Restaurant” just a few months after it opened in 2014. They got so busy in the ensuing rush that they literally ran out of food for their simple, inexpensive menu. That’s extra surprising for a restaurant so off the beaten path that its dining room is in a shed -- which is owned by the National Trust, and perched on Portstewart Strand, with its scenic sand dunes.Try: Fried whitebait served in a newspaper cone, which doubles as a napkin, or a hat. But probably just a napkin.

If you want a real Irish delicacy, try boxty -- essentially an Irish latke. And they know boxty at Gallagher’s, because Pádraic Óg Gallagher (the man behind the restaurant) is a leading expert on the potato (seriously -- he’s published academic works on the Emerald Isle’s spuds). At Gallagher’s they play up the dish’s versatility, serving it as a gnocchi with various toppings, and topped with bruschetta and goat’s cheese.Try: Boxty maybe? But there are other Irish classics too, like four different kinds of stew and an eight-hour roasted lamb shank.

At Deane's Eipic (don’t get too proud of your Gaelic -- it’s pronounced “epic,” like your meal), Chef Danni Bari’s dishes are all about flavor subtlety, influenced by her travels in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and central Europe. The results -- such as Jerusalem artichokes cooked in beef fat, served with caper butter and herbs -- have energized the Northern Ireland fine dining scene, and made Bari the second woman in Ireland’s culinary history to be awarded a Michelin star.Try: Dinner is served as a tasting menu at two different price points, £40 and £60 (that’s about $49 to $73 American dollars), plus a vegetarian option.

Chapter One is one of Ireland’s most consistently praised restaurants; named the island’s best at least seven times, it has held onto its Michelin star for a decade. But besides the accolades, Chapter One also has this going for it: it’s located in the basement beneath the Dublin Writer’s Museum. So after you fill up on James Joyce factoids, get the three-course pre-theater menu, which features options like venison with poached parsnip, braised cabbage, and bacon (plus blackberries and chocolate), or pheasant with braised barley and mushrooms.Try: Do save room for the malted banana ice cream atop an espresso sponge cake, served with an earl grey tea ice and caramel powder.

At Mulberry Garden, everything in the restaurant, right down to the hand soap, is Irish. Pair that with the fact that it’s literally on Mulberry Lane, tucked in a ca. 1911 cottage, and you’ve got a locale straight out of a limerick. The menu changes weekly, based on whatever produce is best from the local markets and the top choices of meats, fish, and dairy from nearby suppliers. Dinner is served as a three-course prixe-fixe affair for just under €50, (about $53 in the US), with items like Kerry Hill lamb (and of course, Irish cheese with an apple and raisin chutney for dessert.)Try: Dublin Bay prawns are also known as Irish Langoustines, because they are essentially junior-sized lobsters. If they’re on the menu, grab ‘em.

Ardmore has been attracting Irish vacationers for years thanks to its long sandy beaches and charming fishing village. But now, something else is drawing people to the seaside town: the food. Particularly, the food at The House, the Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Cliff House Hotel, run by Chef Martijn Kajuiter. The restaurant bills itself as “modern Irish,” and is as fresh as it gets due to the co-op garden the hotel shares with nearby St. Raphael’s Centre -- a residential center for people with special needs.Try: Scallops from West Cork with sweet corn and spinach, plus a side of Irish herring caviar.

The dining room at Chez Hans is an 1800s Wesleyan chapel, and it’s been serving consumers of fine food since 1968. It’s also the formal older sister to the newer, more casual Cafe Hans, just outside the Rock of Cashel. If you’re curious about where the dishes come from, just check the bottom of the menu: every supplier is listed. At Cafe Hans, there are plenty of lunch options perfect for filling you up after exploring the nearby Rock of Cashel, from casual burgers and sandwiches to its delicious homemade soup, a must when the wind whips up.Try: Start with the pulled pork and wild mushroom ravioli, then order the Irish venison two ways for the main.

Home started as a pop-up restaurant in Belfast’s City Center, and was such a hit that they extended their stay, first by a year, and now, permanently at Wellington Place, near City Hall. It’s “feel-good” food, befitting the name, but with a healthy twist. (In fact, there’s an entire gluten-free and vegan menu, if your travel buddies aren’t the “meat and potatoes” type.) Classic dishes that have been around since the eatery’s pop-up days remain on the menu, flanked by seasonal additions and catches of the day.Try: Hot and sour Asian chicken broth or whipped goats cheese with candied walnuts. Or, you know, both.

This tiny restaurant, next to some serious scenery, serves only seafood, making it the go-to spot when you’re craving fish. The menu changes every day depending on the catch, and if there are no fish, the place doesn’t open. Your options are laid out on a blackboard, and every single dish includes a fish, mollusk, or crustacean. Some options might be the grilled John Dory with tarragon sauce, or a langoustine bisque. If you get there between 5:30 and 6:30pm, you’ll beat (some) of the crowds and be treated to a pseudo early-bird special where two courses and a glass of wine will set you back just €31, or 33 bucks.Try: FISH.